"Irish neutrality should be enshrined in the Constitution, as well as given specific provision in the European Treaties." That's according to Cavan Monaghan TD Matt Carthy, who is also Sinn Fein's spokesperson on defence.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Carthy believes underinvestment in the Defence Forces by successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments is "one of their many failures."
He added that Sinn Féin wants to "rebuild" the Defence Forces so that neutrality is protected to defend and monitor skies, seas, and to protect from modern threats including cyber-attacks.
"The underinvestment in our Defence Forces by successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments is one of their many failures," Cllr Carthy explained.
"It is a failure that leaves the State unable to defend its neutrality, and it is little wonder that those same parties now want us to align further with military blocs to undertake tasks they have rendered the Defence Forces incapable of doing.
"Further such alignment puts our neutrality and our independent foreign policy at risk. In order to safeguard our neutrality into the future, Sinn Féin want to ensure our neutrality is enshrined in the Constitution. I have no doubt that the Irish people would endorse this position in a referendum.
"We must also seek specific recognition of the role of military neutrals in the European Treaties to ensure that we can safeguard our neutrality within the EU."
